Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 103, 11 March 1914 — Page 1

VOL. XXXIX. NO. 103.

PROF. RUSSELL FIGHTS SALOON BUSINESS WITH Earlham Professor Asserts City Tax Paid by Saloon Keeper on Stock and Fixtures Is $211.64. 500,000 EXPENDED IN SALOONS YEARLY Half Million Dollars Would Be Here for Business Purposes if Town Went Dry, Speaker Holds. "Even -with saloons in Richmond, the city is in the hole $258.12 each year by their being here, and that does not take into account the losses of Jobs, education and homes by drinkers," declared Elbert Russell, head of the Earlham Biblical depart ment, to a masff meeting at Reid'Me-" mortal church last evening. Councilman Russell, Attorney Fred White and Edgar A. Fisher, purchasing agent of Earlham college, compiled figures regarding the tax situation In Richmond, and the meeting last evening was held to make known the results of the investigation. Dr. S. R. Lyons, pastor of the church, made a brief speech of welcome in which he suggested, "Our little friend on Seventh street (J. Bennett Gordon) will see that the pot is boiling too hot for him." S. Edgar Nicholson said, "Our friend Mr. Gordon is five years behind the times. His rot might have been believed five years ago, but the people of Richmond have progressed too much to believe such stuff." This statement was applauded. Russell's Address. In developing the subject, "Taxation In Richmond," Councilman Russell read the following address: "One of the most plausible arguments advanced in favor of keeping the saloons in Richmond is based upon the license fees paid by the saloon keepers into the city treasury. Fourteen thousand dollars is a large and definite sum, the argument runs. If we abolish the saloons-, the city treasury will be short that much with nothing to take its place. Therefore, the city will have to neglect needed public service or else raise taxes to make up for the loss. The argument is plausible because only one side of the account is taken into account, as we shall show. "Tn 1913 there were fifty-six license holders (retail) in Richmond. We were able to find the assessment sheets at the court house for only fifty-one of these. We may have missed some on account of the frequent transfers of licenses. Of the fifty-one, three gave no returns on saloon fixtures or stock. We have omitted these from the averages because the fixtures and stock may possibly have been owned by somebody else and by them returned for taxation, but it looks suspiciously like somebody had committed perjury in these cases; either when the license holder swore, as the Proctor law requires, that he was sole owner of the business, or when he swore that the return of property was complete. One hotel gave no return of saloon property separate from hotel property. The total property for saloon purposes given, in by the forty-seven remaining was as follows: For stock and fixtures, $19,240; for cash registers and safes, $2,403. It will be noticed that cash registers and safes equal oneeighth of the amount given in for saloon purposes. In considering the taxes paid by the saloon keepers, for purpose of comparison with that paid by other business, we omit the items for cash registers and safes, since any other business would require them. The total city tax paid by these forty-seven saloon keepers on the assessed valuation of their stock and fixtures is $211.64. Adding to this the license fees, we find the city treasury enriched to the extent of $14,211.64 by its saloons for 1913. The Other Side. "We now turn to the other side of the ledger. We desired to learn how much tax the city might have realized from a similar number of legitimate businesses. We chose forty-seven representative firms from the telephone directory. We took them at first at (Continued on Page Four) Cleveland Man to Address Two Meetings Tonight. Two speaking dates tonight are on the itinerary of John S. Rutledge, of Cleveland, O. Mr. Rutledge arrives in Richmond from Dayton at 6:57 and will be taken to the North Fourteenth Btreet mission where he will give an address. His second talk tonight is scheduled at 8:30 o'clock in the Third Methodist Episcopal church, Fairview. The Y. M. C. A. Glee Club will sing. A party of business and professional men will accompany Mr. Rutledge to both speaking places. The third meeting of the Cleveland speaker will be in the tabernacle Friday night.

TAX ARGUMENT

Roosevelt's Fiancee Presented to King George and Queen Mary

MISS BELLE WILLARD. Miss Belle Willard, daughter of Joseph E. Willard, United States ambassador to Spain, was-easily -the most beautiful girl presented to King George and Queen -Mary-at -the second court of the season. Miss Willard's engagement to Kermit Roosevelt, son of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, was recently announced. Mrs. .Clarence Moore, of Washington, and her daughter, Miss Frances Moore, were also presented at the second court. . . . .

WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS IN WATER CASE THURSDAY

The argument on the water works case before the public service commission will be made on Thursday at Indianapolis. The commission will allow each side from one and a half to two hours lor the presentation of the, case, and.it is understood, that the case will be closed Thursday night. Chairman Duncan is already engaged in the study of important legal questions which are involved in the Richmond City Water Works case. The commissioners will familiarize themselves as much as possible with these questions before the argument is commenced. All the facts have been presented FALLS THROUGH FLOOR Gurney Brown Receives a Broken Nose by Accident. "Be careful, there is a loose board," a contractor warned Gurney Brown, 405 South West Third, while walking on the second floor of an uncompleted house. At the same moment Brown stepped on the end of the board and dropped through the floor and fell into the celiar. His nose was broken and he is painfully bruised. The injuries are not serious, however, and it will be only a short time until he recovers. WEATHER FORECAST FOR INDIANA Cloudy tonight and Thursday fair. TEMPERATURE. Noon 28 Yesterday. Maximum 44 Minimum 24 W. E. MOORE'S FORECAST. Clearing weather expected this afternoon or tonight. Thursday fair. SUMMARY. The storm that caused last night's snow is passing over the Atlantic ocean. High barometer presure over the Great Lakes will cause fair weather within the next 36 hours.

RICHMON

RICHMOND, to the commission except the schedule of proposed rates which are now being prepared by Engineer E. E. Watts. These rates will be based on the val uation which is claimed by the city i and Attorney Bond wil' endeavor to show in his argument why the commission should fix a schedule of rates j similar to one filed by Engineer Watts : in order that the city will not be com-1 pelled to pay exhorbitant rates. The fixing of the final schedule by the commission will depend on the final valuation of the property of the company on which the commission will decide. City Attorney Bond will argue for the city and John F. Robbins for th3 company. SPECHT ACCEPTS POST New Head of Wernle to Arrive After Easter. The Rev. H. Specht of Camp Chase, Ohio, recently elected superintendent of the Wernle Orphans' Home, has in formed the board of control that he j has accepted the position and will as- j sume his duties after Easter. He sue- j ceeds the Rev. H. Gahre, who resign-! ed the post to re-enter the ministry, j The Rev. Specht is a graduate of the I college and theological departments of Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Specht recently visited the orphanage to acquaint himself with the institution. MAY LEAVECHURCH Rich Members Object to Rector's Charitable Act. NEW YORK, March 11. Rich parishoners of St. George's Episcopal church of which the late J. Pierpont Morgan was a warden were up in arms today because the rector, the Rev. Dr. Earl Reilaud allowed 150 Industrial Workers of the World to spend the night in the parish hall. These men were part of Frank Taunenbaum's army of church raiders. They were given their breakfast and furnished with tobacco. A number of tlie members of the church have threatened to withdraw.

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AND SUN-TELEGRAM IND., WEDNESDAY EVENING, JAPS AND MEXICANSNEGOTIATE. TREATY Mikado's Agents Arrange for Colonization of . Large Coast Sections of Western Mexico. BANK OF YOKOHAMA FURNISHES FINANCES Japanese to Aid Southern Republic if the United States Tries to Oust Huerta from Presidency. MEXICO CITY, March 11. Japan and Mexico have negotiated a secret treaty that binds the two countries closely; Japanese agents have arranged for She colonization of a large section of Mexico by subjects of the Mikado and British capital is being advanced to further the aims of the Japanese in this country. These facts were learned today in investigating the plans of the company formed by Baron TakahashI, president of the Yokohama specie bank and Baron Matzu.. governor of the bank of Japan at Tokio. The organization is known as the company for the exploitation of the industry and the colonization of Mexico. It has large funds upon which to draw.. The United States has not been in Ignorance of the plans for Japanese colonization but has been kept Informed of every move made, including the signing of the secret treaty, which is relied upon by Mexico to sesure it the support of Japan in case the United States intervenes in Mexico. The treaty is said to have been negotiated by Francisco de la Barra, on his recent visit to Tokio. The lands which the Japanese are planning to colonize are on the coast of Lower California, in Sonora, Sinaloa, Tepic and Jalisco. According to a former official of the Mexican government the British funds behind the Japanese colonization project are being furnished by Lord Cowdray. MOTHER OF DUNBAR TO HEARPROGRAM Aged Colored Woman Says She Will Attend Celebration in Honor of Her Son. While tribute is paid the memory of Paul Lawrence Dunbar by the Citizens' Union, the colored poet's aged mother, Mrs. Matilda Jane Dunbar, of Dayton, will be the guest of honor. The former slave has promised to be present at the exercises to be given in celebration of the anniversary of the poet's birth in 1872. The colored Masonic temple on South Sixth street has been secured for the evening. In the afternoon a public reception will be given at the home of Dr. W. W. Anderson, 38 South Sixth street. The evening meeting will open with the singing of Dunbar's favorite hymn "Lead Kindly Light" by a male quartet. The story of Dunbar's life will then be given by Roy Brown. "Dunbar's Place Among the American Poets," will be the subject of the address of J. Edgar Iliff, who was among the first to appreciate Dunbar's ability as a poet. As special musical numbers, Emma Howard, sister of Wesley Howard, will give a piano selection, and Clarence King will sing a tenor solo. Miss Anna Brown will speak on "Our Own." Mrs. Selby to Talk. Judge L. C. Abbott, Mrs. Mary Frame Selby and the Rev. T. M. Ovelton will give five-minute talks on the work of Dunbar. All of the three en couraged the young poet. Mrs. Jessie Brown-Smith, who has charge of the of the program, present ed it at a meeting of the union last night, and it was approved. The organization expects a large attendance. $1,000,000 HOME FOR CHARLES SCHWAB Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnate, is reported to have ordered plaus drawn for a oie-million-dollar home that he intends vt erect at Alhambra, twenty miles cast of Los Angeles

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MARCH 11, 1914

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YOUNG CANDIDATE FOR STATE OFFICE GEORGE A. BITTLER. Wayne county Democrats are keenly interested in the race which Geo. A. Bittler, member of the state accounting board, is making to obtain the nomination for state treasurer. At a recent visit in the county. Mr. Bittler made many friends. He attended the Irst banquet of the Democratic club recently and his speech appealed strongly to the young men in the party. In point of service he Is the senior member of the state accounting board. The Twelfth district is pledged to his candidacy. RUTHERFORD JONES TRANSFERS HOUSE TO HARDWARE MEN Vice President of Concern Gives Residence Property to Cover Overdrafts Made By Him. The home of Rutherford B. Jones and his wife, Mary A. Jones, was transferred today to the Jones Hardware company, which assumed a $900 mortgage on the property; held by John B. Dougan of this clt The warranty deed was filed with the county recorder this afternoon. This action on the part of R. B. Jones is a settlement in part of his indebtedness to the company of which he is vice president. His indebtedness was incurred through overdrafts. The valuation of the property transferred by him is not made public. The transfer follows in the wake of suits to foreclose liens on stock filed against Mr. Jones and his brother, Sharon E. Jones, by the Dickinson Trust company, yesterday. The trust company loaned the Jones brothers over $20,000, taking over Jones Hardware company stock as collateral. - An attorney for the hardware company today expressed the opinion that the stock of the Jones Hardware company was still worth double its par value, and that the equity on the stock of S. E. Jones, all of which he has out as collateral on loans, will be sufficient to meet his overdraft indebtedness to the company, approximately $27,000. S. E. Jones has not yet made any statement in connection with the troubles which resulted in his retirement as treasurer and general manager of the firm. It was learned today that the assets of the Jones Hardware company was in excess of $400,000 while its liabilities amounted to only a little over $200,000. Its financial difficulties will probably be ironed out without much difficulty. BUY REVOLVER AND SHOOT PROPRIETOR Two Men Fatally Wound Storekeeper One Is Captured, But Other Escapes. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 1!. Two young men entered the .fidelity Loan company's office at neon today and after purchasing a rerolver and cartridges, loaded the weapon and held up the proprietor, Morris Coblins. When Coblins refused to give up the money one of the desperadoes shot him through the head. The men then fled but one was subsequently captured. Coblins Is in the hospital in a critical condition. Attracted by the shot which wounded Coblins, a large crowd of pedestrians rushed to the scene just as the two youths dashed out and started down Federal street. One of them was cor'iered two blocks away. At the police station he gave his name as John Ackerman of New York. He was well dressed, of refined appearance Lut pretended to be intoxicated. His companion escaped la the noon duy crowd. END SIX DAY RACE BERLIN, March 11. The six-day bicycle race ending here today was won by Ixirenz and Salow, who covered 2,t09 miles and 3,116 feet,

Business Men to Ask Commercial Club to Urge Reduction of Fire Insurance Before Indiana Inspection Bureau PER CAPITA TOSS 10 CENTS)

City Complies With All Requirements of Inspection Bureau Excepting One, and Steps on Way to Remedy Evil fire Loss of City Only $2,695, Regarded Remarkably Low One for Any City in the United States. Present Fire Protection Rate Regarded Excessively High. Saving Under Reduction Estimated Between $10,000 and $15,000.

"Wanted Fire insurance rate reduction rates for Richmond. In 1909 the Indiana Fire Insurance Inspection Bureau promised a redaction of rates for Richmond, which had been protested against on the ground that the existing rates were excessive as a rule, providing certain public improvements were made. The nine requirements for rate reductions will soon be complied with in almost every respect, and it was learned today that business men of this city before the close of the year will ask the Commercial clob to bring this fact before the Indiana Inspection Bureau with the request that the promised reduction be made without further delay. In 1909 the Inspection Bureau, through its ' publisher. E. M. Sellers, estimated that compliance with requirements demanded by the bureau would result in an approximate rate reduction of 13 per cent on buildings and reductions of 5. 2 and 1 per cent on three classifications of insurance for contents of buildings. Ten Thousand Dollars Saving. It Is difficult to estimate what the total saving in premiums of local holders of Are insurance policies would be In the event of the promised rate reductions, but well Informed business men Hgure it would be from $10,000 to $15,000 a year. It Is roughly estimated that between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000 of fire insurance is held in this city. Her were the requirements demanded -In x909 for fire insurance rate reductions, and the action taken upon them: 1. An additional 6.000,000-gallon pump at the water works pumping station. This pump is installed and ready for operation. 2. An additional supply main from the pumping station to the city. This main was laid last year, and will be in use before spring. 3. Large-size feeders to be carried to outlying districts to supply large sizes of pipe already laid. These feeders have been Installed. 4. Additional hydrants to be used as required. Hydrants have been installed by the city on this policy for a number of years and is now paying rental on more than three hundred of them. 5. Establishment of a chemical hose company in West Richmond to provide adeo'iate protection for that section of Owelty. This requirement was complied with more than two years ago. 6. Instruction of the police in regard to rendering assistance at fires. METHODIST BISHOP TO DELIVERJDDRESS Edwin Holt Hughes Will Be Principal Speaker At High School Commencement. Thas Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes, former president of DePauw would deliver the principal address at the commencement exercises of the 1914 class of the high school, June 4, was announced by Superintendent J. T. Giles, today. Principal Pickell, of the high school, expects that the graduating class this year will number approximately 100. $10,000 OF LOOT FOUND IN ROOM OF NEW "FAGIN" NEW YORK, Mfrch 11. In a raid by two detectives upon rooms in the building at 163 Eldridge street more than $10,000 of loot was recovered today. The merchandise is alleged to have been stolen by East Side boys trained in thievery by Max Warner, who was arrested charged with receiving stolen goods. The police call Warner the "Fagin" of the East Side. MAYOR REFUSES TO DISCLOSE AGE This was Mayor Robbins birthday, but he refused to be interviewed how far Daddy Time has shoved him past the forty mark. The mayor was gracefully remembered my the ladies of a card club of which Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are prominent members. The ladies sent a beautiful bouquet of cut artificial flowers, whose dainty perfume mingled in careless abandon with the rich aroma of a few onions.

SINGLE COPY 2 CENTS

This suggestion has been eonrpfled with. 7. Adoption of a satisfactory building code to be modeled after the one recommended by the national board, and ordinances governing the storage of explosives, installation of electrical devices, etc. Building Code Good. One of the best building codes ever drafted for an Indiana city was adopted by the city council last year and perfected by amendments this year. Further, the city now has a building inspector whose duty it is to see that the provisions of this code are compiled with, who makes inspections of buildings to see if proper fire precautions are taken, who inspects the wiring of all houses and all beating appliances after their installation. There are satisfactory ordinances pertaining to the storage of explosives and sanitary conditions in business houses and dwellings. 8. Placing of all overhead wires under ground. This has been complied with in part. In the retail business district, where the fire hazard is the greatest, there is a conduit system for wires. The only overhead wires on Main street are trolley wires, but the overhead wire conditions in the alleys in the central business district and in the north end factory district are exceedingly bad. Remedy at Hand. These undesirable conditions are to

be remedied, however, this 1 year. , About a month ajto BnOdinc lmoectar J

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mat wires wouia rare- to oe renung by the first of August in compliance with the provisions of the building code. The Home Telephone company has already started to re-string its wires. When all wires are properly rearranged they will offer but small fire hazard. There is probably no city of its size, or larger, in this section of the conntry which has made a more intelligent, comprehensive and earnest effort than Richmond along fire prevention lines and Richmond taxpayers now believe themselves justified In asking that Uieir efforts along thesa lines be rewarded by substantial reductions in fire insurance rates. An example of the success of local' efforts in fire prevention work is thai remarkably small fire loss in Rich-, mond last year, only $2,695. Figuring Richmond to have a population of 25,000 this makes the per capita firei loss in Richmond last yeanjust a little I over 10 cents, which is an exceptional . record. The average per capita firei loss In the ITnited States per year iaj $2.68. FAILS TO ARREST ! BIG RAILROAD MEII i Sheriff Must Appear in Court! to Answer Charge of Contempt. ST. LOUIS. March 11. Sheriff Diokman was cited to appear at Liberty.-' Mo., March 16 in the circuit court of' Clay township, to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt of court for failure to arrest Frederick A. Delano, E. B. Pryor and W. K. BUby, receivers of the Wabash railroad.; The receivers were indicted last November on a charge of permitting the sale of liquor on dining cars of the Wabsh. Pryor Is still connected with the Wabash. Bixby has resigned, and Delano has gone to the Monon road as president. SHERIFF IS GLAD MILLER ESCAPED "It s a good thing that Charley Miller Is out of the community,"" said Sheriff Bayer today In speaking of the escaped negro prisoner who fled from jail last week while serving a sentence on a statutory charge. The sheriff is not of the opinion that Miller would have confessed his connection with suspected opium traffic in Richmond, although he promised to make a statement. "Miller has enough money on him to get well away from ' Richmond, and he knows we will be watching for him if be conies around the county again," the sheriff added. "Richmond and Wayne country are rid of an uudesirable citizen. SMOKING ALLOWED CHICAGO After a vigorous campaign against Biuoking on the front platform of pay-as-you-enter street cars the city council turned down an ordinance making smoking there a mis

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